Development Through the Lifespan, 4/E
Laura E. Berk, Illinois State University

ISBN-10: 0205491251
ISBN-13: 9780205491254

Publisher: Allyn & Bacon
Copyright: 2007
Format: Cloth; 816 pp
Published: 07/20/2006

Suggested retail price: $139.60
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A best-selling text unparalleled in its approach to teaching human development, Berk’s Development Through the Lifespan is relied on in classrooms worldwide for its clear, engaging writing style, exceptional cross-cultural focus, rich examples, and long-standing commitment to presenting the most up-to-date scholarship while also offering students research-based, practical applications that they can relate to their personal and professional lives.

 

Laura Berk, renowned professor and researcher, has revised the text with new pedagogy, a heightened emphasis on the interplay between biology and environment, and an enhanced focus on many social policy issues, while emphasizing the lifespan perspective throughout. The latest theories and findings in the field are made accessible to students in a manageable and relevant way. Berk’s signature storytelling style invites students to actively learn beside the text’s “characters” who share their developmental milestones at different stages of life. Students are provided with an especially clear and coherent understanding of the sequence and underlying processes of human development, emphasizing the interrelatedness of all domains–physical, cognitive, emotional, social–throughout the text narrative and in special features.

 

Berk also helps students connect their learning to their personal and professional areas of interest.  Her voice comes through when speaking directly about issues students will face in their future pursuits as parents, educators, heath care providers, social workers, and researchers.  As members of a global and diverse human community, students are called to intelligently approach the responsibility of understanding and responding to the needs and concerns of both young and old.     

 

While carefully considering the complexities of human development, Berk presents classic and emerging theories in an especially clear, engaging writing style, with a multitude of research-based, real-world, and cross-cultural examples. Strengthening the connections among developmental domains and of theory and research with applications, this edition's extensive revision brings forth the most recent scholarship, representing the changing field of human development.

  • Meticulously researched material, including over 1,700 new reference citations, is conveyed to the student in a clear, story-like fashion that humanizes the complex developmental process.
  • Outstanding pedagogical features support students' mastery of the subject matter:
    • Stories and vignettes of real people, a Berk signature feature, open each chapter and continue throughout the text to illustrate developmental principles and teach through engaging narrative.
    • Chapter Openers prepare students for what they will learn through both a prose description and an outline, which provides a quick look at major topics to be covered.
    • “Ask Yourself” critical thinking questions have been thoroughly revised and expanded into a unique pedagogical feature that promotes four approaches to connecting with the subject matter.  The questions encourage students to review information they have just read, apply it to new situations, connect it to other age periods and domains of development, and reflect on how theory and research are personally relevant in their own lives.
    • “Milestones” tables with new illustrative photos of children and adults, summarize major physical, cognitive, language, emotional, and social achievements of each age period.  In addition to offering an overview of change, each entry is page-referenced to provide students with a convenient tool for review. 
    • Highlighting of key terms within the text narrative reinforces student learning in context.
    • Chapter summaries include bolded terms, organized by learning objectives and major section headings, as well as a page-referenced terms list for convenient and focused student review.
  • “Applying What We Know” tables provide practical real-life applications based on the results of theory and research, offering advice relevant to caring for oneself and others throughout the lifespan.  
  •  Four types of thematic boxes complement the text—
    • “A Lifespan Vista” boxes highlight topics that have long-term implications for development or involve intergenerational issues. These underscore the book's key theme of the lifespan perspective (that development continues across the lifespan).
    • “Biology and Environment” boxes highlight the growing attention in the field to complex, bidirectional relationships between biological and environmental influences.
    • “Cultural Influences” boxes emphasize multicultural and cross-cultural variations in development.
    • “Social Issues” boxes underscore the influence of social and public policies on all aspects of development.
  • Practical applications are integrated into the discussion throughout the text to show students how sound practice stems from theory and research.
  • Attractive artwork, graphics, and photographs effectively illustrate major points and facilitate student interest and understanding.


  • Boxes entitled “A Lifespan Vista” boxes are devoted to topics that have long-term implications for development.  They include worldwide education of girls and its transforming impact on current and future generations (Ch. 2); the prenatal environment and health in later life (Ch. 3); brain plasticity over the lifespan (Ch. 4); social and emotional intelligence (Ch. 9); two routes to adolescent delinquency, with new research on the link between early relational aggression and adolescent antisocial activity (Ch. 12), and learning about aging from centenarians (Ch. 19).
  • Many new topics have been introduced and enhanced throughout the fourth edition, including: 
    • Chapter 1: Introduction to developmental neuroscience; new, engaging examples of developmental research 
    • Chapter 2: New evidence on mutation, with implications for lifelong health; development of affluent youths 
    • Chapter 3: Updated findings on "kangaroo care" for preterm infants; expanded consideration of paternal influences, including teratogenic effects and paternal hormonal changes linked to caregiving 
    • Chapter 4: Brain plasticity; experience-expectant and experience-dependent brain growth; early eating habits and risk for obesity 
    • Chapter 5: Cultural variation in infants' attention; new findings on early intervention with poverty-stricken infants and toddlers; greatly expanded section on language development 
    • Chapter 6: New evidence on temperament, including effortful control; expanded section on fathers' involvement with infants 
    • Chapter 7: Preschoolers' understanding of diverse symbols, including scale models and maps; expanded section on educational media 
    • Chapter 8: New research on physical, verbal, and relational aggression, including gender differences and media influences; child-rearing styles and effects of parental psychological control; cultural variation in parenting beliefs and practices 
    • Chapter 9: Evolutionary influences on children's play; emotional intelligence; stereotype threat and minority children's test-taking 
    • Chapter 10: Development of ethnic and racial prejudice; expanded section on moral understanding, including school-age children's grasp of individual rights; new evidence on gender identity in middle childhood 
    • Chapter 11: Implications of adolescent sleep "phase delay" for school performance and high-risk behavior; new section on adolescent brain development; pubertal timing and long-term adjustment
    • Chapter 12: Adolescents' coordination of moral, social-conventional, and personal concerns; adolescent religious involvement and moral development; adolescent Internet friendships; relationship of parent-child attachment to adolescent romantic ties 
    • Chapter 13: New section introducing emerging adulthood; SES variation in health during adulthood; Perry's theory and development of epistemic cognition in early adulthood
    • Chapter 14: Sex differences in marital satisfaction; parental adjustment to both a first and a second child; unique workplace challenges faced by women and ethnic minority young adults
    • Chapter 15: Risks and benefits of hormone replacement therapy and the increasing number of alternative treatments for menopausal symptoms; middle-aged adults' memory in pressured, classroom-like contexts versus self-paced contexts
    • Chapter 16: Middle-aged men's and women's emotional reactions to their aging appearance; the sandwich generation and caring for aging parents; women, ethnic minorities, and the "glass ceiling" in the workplace.
    • Chapter 17: Neuroscience findings on the normally aging brain; potential reversibility of some Alzheimer's disease symptoms; new research on lifelong learning 
    • Chapter 18: Updated evidence on religious activity and elders' well-being; adjustment to widowhood, with enhanced attention to men; elder abandonment 
    • Chapter 19: Dual-process model of coping with bereavement; bereavement and meaning-making, especially after non-normative deaths of children
  • Updated “Biology and Environment” boxes highlight the growing attention in the field of human development to the complex, bidirectional relationship between biological and environmental influences. A wide range of topics include: impact of parent-child interaction on language and cognitive development of deaf children (Ch. 5); development of shyness and sociability (Ch. 6); sex differences in spatial abilities (Ch. 11); caloric restriction and longevity (Ch. 15); factors that promote psychological well-being in midlife (Ch. 16) and music as palliative care for dying patients (Ch. 19).
  • Revised “Social Issues” boxes cover a variety of current social policy topics, including research addressing the question, “Can musical experiences enhance intelligence?” (Ch. 1); quality and extent of early child care and children’s adjustment (Ch. 6); high-stakes testing (Ch. 9); development of civic responsibility (Ch. 12); men who choose nontraditional careers (Ch. 13); women in "fast-track" careers who opt to stay home (Ch. 14); grandparents rearing grandchildren: the skipped generation family (Ch. 16); and interventions for caregivers of elders with dementia (Ch. 17).
  • “Cultural Influences” boxes have been updated to deepen the attention to multicultural and cross-cultural variations threaded throughout the text. Topics include: cultural variation in infant sleeping arrangements, including the recent increase in Western parent-infant cosleeping (Ch. 4); the powerful role of paternal warmth in development (Ch. 6); how children in village cultures learn by observing and participating in adult work (Ch. 7); identity development among ethnic minority youths (Ch. 12); and cultural variations in the experience of aging (Ch 18).
  •  “Ask Yourself” questions have been thoroughly revised and expanded into a unique pedagogical feature that promotes four approaches to engaging actively with the subject matter: “Review, Apply, Connect, and Reflect.” The new “Reflect” questions help make the study of lifespan development personally meaningful by encouraging students to take a well-reasoned stand on important issues and to relate theory and research to their own lives.  Sample answers are provided in the Instructor's Resource Manual.
  • The text’s design, artwork, graphics, and photographs have been greatly enhanced to illustrate major topics, facilitate student interest, and promote effective learning.
  • In-text highlighting of key terms and definitions permits students to review important terms and concepts in context, thereby encouraging a deeper understanding and retention of the material.
  • Chapter Summary photos serve as visual prompts that aid students in recalling content introduced in the body of the chapter. 
  • Student Supplements—
    • MyDevelopmentLab. This interactive and instructive multimedia resource is an all-inclusive learning tool.  Prepared in collaboration with Laura E. Berk, MyDevelopmentLab engages users and reinforces learning through controlled assessments, extensive video footage, multimedia simulations, biographies of major figures in the field, and interactive activities that are unique to Development Through the Lifespan. Easy to use, MyDevelopmentLab meets the individual learning needs of every student.  For a sampling of its rich content, visit www.mydevelopmentlab.com.
    • Grade Aid with Practice Tests. Revised and updated, this student workbook and study guide features Chapter Summaries, Learning Objectives, Study Questions organized according to major headings in the text, “Ask Yourself” questions that also appear in the text, Crossword Puzzles for mastering important terms, and two multiple-choice self-tests.
    • The Companion Website offers support for students through practice tests, annotated web links, learning objectives, suggested readings, flashcard vocabulary building activities,, and an “Ask Yourself” question section where students have the opportunity to compare their own responses to model answers provided on the site. (http://www.ablongman.com/berk)
    • “Milestones” Study Cards. Adapted from the highly popular “Milestones” tables featured in the text, these colorfully illustrated study cards outline key developmental achievements in an easy-to-use format that assists students in integrating the various domains of development through the lifespan. 
    • ResearchNavigator online database--Now Included in MyDevelopmentLab.  Through three exclusive databases, this intuitive search interface provides extensive help with the research process, allowing students to make the most of their research time.  EBSCO’s ContentSelect Academic Journal Database permits a discipline-specific search through professional and popular journals.  Also featured are the New York Times Search-by-Subject Archive, and Best of the Web Link Library.  To examine the features of Research Navigator, visit www.researchnavigator.com.
    • Allyn & Bacon Tutor Center--Now Included in MyDevelopment Lab. The Tutor Center provides students free, one-on-one, interactive tutoring from qualified instructors on all material in the text.  Tutoring assistance is available by phone, FAX, internet, and e-mail during peak study hours, 5p.m. to 12p.m. (EST), Sunday through Thursday during the academic year.  Visit www.ablongman.com/tutorcenter.
  • Instructor Resources—
    • MyDevelopmentLab. This interactive and instructive multimedia resource can be used as a supplement to a classroom course or to completely administer an online course.  Prepared in collaboration with Laura E. Berk, MyDevelopmentLab includes a variety of assessments that enable continuous evaluation of students' learning.  Extensive video footage, multimedia simulations, biographies of major figures in the field, and interactive activities that are unique to Development Through the Lifespan are also included.  The power of MyDevelopmentLab lies in its design as an all-inclusive teaching and learning tool.  For a sampling of its rich content, contact your Allyn and Bacon publisher's representative.
    • Instructor's Classroom Kit, Volume I and II. A comprehensive and unparalleled instructional resource, this classroom kit includes all print supplements in two convenient volumes.  Supplements for Chapters 1-10 are available in Volume I and those for Chapters 11-19 are in Volume II.  Organized by chapter, each volume contains the Instructor's Manual, Test Bank, Grade Aid Study Guide with Practice Tests, and slides from the PowerPoint presentation.
    • Instructor's Resource Manual (IRM). This thoroughly revised IRM can be used by first-time or experienced instructors to enrich classroom experiences.  Each chapter includes a Chapter-at-a-Glance Grid, Brief Chapter Summary, Learning Objectives, detailed Lecture Outline, Lecture Enhancements, Learning Activities, Ask Yourself Questions with answers, Suggested Student Readings, a Transparency Listing, and Media Materials list.
    • Test Bank. The revised Test Bank contains over 2,000 multiple-choice questions, each of which is page-referenced to chapter content and classified by type (factual, applied, or conceptual).  Each chapter also includes a selection of essay questions and sample answers.
    • Grade Aid with Practice Tests. This updated and helpful guide offers Chapter Summaries, Learning Objectives, Study Questions organized according to major headings in the text, Crossword Puzzles for mastering important terms, and two multiple-choice Practice Tests per chapter.
    • PowerPoint Presentation. The PowerPoint presentation contains illustrations and outlines of key topics for each chapter from the text, presented in a clear and visually attractive format.
    • Instructor's Resource CD-ROM. Electronic versions of all the resources found in the Instructor's Classroom Kit are made available on this easy-to-use CD.
    • Computerized Testbank. This computerized version of the Test Bank, in easy-to-use TestGen software with full editing capabilities, lets instructors prepare tests for printing as well as for network and online testing.  Dual-platform CD-ROM.
    • “Lifespan Development in Action” Observation Program. This revised and expanded real-life videotape is over two hours in length and contains hundreds of observation segments that illustrate the many theories, concepts, and milestones of human development.  New additions include understanding of false belief, emerging adulthood, retirement and volunteering, centenarians, elder caregiving, and bereavement and meaning-making after losing a child.  An Observation Guide helps students use the video in conjunction with the textbook, deepening their understanding and applying what they have learned to everyday life. 
    • “A Window on Lifespan Development.” This video complements the Observation Program described above through two hours of unscripted footage on many aspects of lifespan development.  A revised Video Guide is also available.
    • Transparencies. Two hundred full-color transparencies taken from the text and other sources are referenced in the Instructor's Classroom Kit for the most appropriate use in your classroom presentations.

Table of Contents


    PART I. THEORY AND RESEARCH IN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT


Chapter 1: History, Theory, and Research Strategies

Human Development as a Scientific, Applied, and Interdisciplinary Field

Basic Issues
The Lifespan Perspective: A Balanced Point of View
Historical Foundations
Mid-Twentieth-Century Theories
Recent Theoretical Perspectives
Comparing and Evaluating Theories
Studying Development

Ethics in Lifespan Research 

    PART II. FOUNDATIONS OF DEVELOPMENT


Chapter 2: Biological and Environmental Foundations


Genetic Foundations

Reproductive Choices

Environmental Contexts for Development

Understanding the Relationship Between Heredity and Environment


Chapter 3: Prenatal Development, Birth, and the Newborn Baby


Prenatal Development
Prenatal Environmental Influences
Childbirth
Approaches to Childbirth
Medical Interventions
Preterm and Low-Birth-Weight Infants
Understanding Birth Complications
The Newborn Baby's Capacities
Adjusting to the New Family Unit


     PART III. INFANCY AND TODDLERHOOD: THE FIRST TWO YEARS


Chapter 4: Physical Development in Infancy and Toddlerhood


Body Growth
Brain Development
Influences on Early Physical Growth
Learning Capacities
Motor Development
Perceptual Development


Chapter 5: Cognitive Development in Infancy and Toddlerhood


Piaget's Cognitive-Developmental Theory
Information Processing
The Social Context of Early Cognitive Development
Individual Differences in Early Mental Development
Language Development


Chapter 6: Emotional and Social Development in Infancy and Toddlerhood


Erikson's Theory of Infant and Toddler Personality
Emotional Development
Temperament and Development
Development of Attachment
Self-Development During the First Two Years


     PART IV. EARLY CHILDHOOD: TWO TO SIX YEARS


Chapter 7: Physical and Cognitive Development in Early Childhood


PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT
Body Growth
Brain Development
Influences on Physical Growth and Health
Motor Development
COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT
Piaget's Theory: The Preoperational Stage
Vygotsky's Sociocultural Theory
Information Processing
Individual Differences in Mental Development
Language Development


Chapter 8: Emotional and Social Development in Early Childhood


Erikson's Theory: Initiative versus Guilt
Self-Understanding
Emotional Development
Peer Relations
Foundations of Morality
Gender Typing
Child Rearing and Emotional and Social Development


     PART V. MIDDLE CHILDHOOD: SIX TO ELEVEN YEARS


Chapter 9: Physical and Cognitive Development in Middle Childhood


PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT
Body Growth
Common Health Problems
Motor Development and Play
COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT
Piaget's Theory: The Concrete Operational Stage
Information Processing
Individual Differences in Mental Development
Language Development
Learning in School


Chapter 10: Emotional and Social Development in Middle Childhood


Erikson's Theory: Industry versus Inferiority
Self-Understanding
Emotional Development
Understanding Others: Perspective Taking
Moral Development
Peer Relations
Gender Typing
Family Influences
Some Common Problems of Development


     PART VI. ADOLESCENCE: THE TRANSITION TO ADULTHOOD


Chapter 11: Physical and Cognitive Development in Adolescence


PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT
Conceptions of Adolescence
Puberty: The Physical Transition to Adulthood
The Psychological Impact of Pubertal Events
Health Issues
COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT
Piaget's Theory: The Formal Operational Stage
An Information-Processing View of Adolescent Cognitive Development
Consequences of Adolescent Cognitive Changes
Sex Differences in Mental Abilities
Learning in School


Chapter 12: Emotional and Social Development in Adolescence


Erikson's Theory: Identity versus Role Confusion
Self-Understanding
Moral Development
Gender Typing
The Family
Peer Relations
Problems of Development


     PART VII. EARLY ADULTHOOD


Chapter 13: Physical and Cognitive Development in Early Adulthood


A Gradual Transition: Emerging Adulthood
PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT
Biological Aging Is Under Way in Early Adulthood
Physical Changes
Health and Fitness
COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT
Changes in the Structure of Thought
Expertise and Creativity
The College Experience
Vocational Choice


Chapter 14: Emotional and Social Development in Early Adulthood


Erikson's Theory: Intimacy versus Isolation
Other Theories of Adult Psychosocial Development
Close Relationships
The Family Life Cycle
The Diversity of Adult Lifestyles
Career Development


     PART VIII. MIDDLE ADULTHOOD


Chapter 15: Physical and Cognitive Development in Middle Adulthood


PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT
Physical Changes
Health and Fitness
Adapting to the Physical Challenges of Midlife
COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT
Changes in Mental Abilities
Information Processing
Vocational Life and Cognitive Development
Adult Learners: Becoming a College Student in Midlife


Chapter 16: Emotional and Social Development in Middle Adulthood


Erikson's Theory: Generativity versus Stagnation
Other Theories of Psychosocial Development in Midlife
Stability and Change in Self-Concept and Personality
Relationships at Midlife
Vocational Life


     PART IX. LATE ADULTHOOD


Chapter 17: Physical and Cognitive Development in Late Adulthood


PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT
Life Expectancy
Physical Changes
Health, Fitness, and Disability
COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT
Memory
Language Processing
Problem Solving Wisdom
Factors Related to Cognitive Change
Cognitive Interventions
Lifelong Learning


Chapter 18: Emotional and Social Development in Late Adulthood


Erikson's Theory: Ego Integrity versus Despair
Other Theories of Psychosocial Development in Late Adulthood
Stability and Change in Self-Concept and Personality
Individual Differences in Psychological Well-Being
A Changing Social World
Relationships in Late Adulthood
Retirement and Leisure
Successful Aging


     PART X. THE END OF LIFE


Chapter 19: Death, Dying, and Bereavement


How We Die
Understanding of and Attitudes Toward Death
Thinking and Emotions of Dying People
A Place to Die
The Right to Die
Bereavement: Coping with the Death of a Loved One
Death Education

“The Berk Lifespan text offers a sense that we are learning from someone who is both a great scholar and a very wise and experienced person.  Berk has credibility on both a professional and personal level…..It also offers a sense that my students are getting exposure to the best research and ideas available in my field.

   

*David Shwalb, Southeastern Louisiana University

 

“This is the most engaging textbook I have reviewed or used… truly remarkable in its depth, research and professional, personable and engaging writing style… This book sets a new standard of excellence.”

 

“I especially liked the excellent applications-implications included… far superior to nearly all other texts I am familiar with.”

 

*Dale Lund, University of Utah, College of Nursing

 

“Berk Lifespan offers exceptional coverage of the most important issues, trends, and cutting edge topics… without question, one of the most comprehensive texts available.”

 

“The author does an exceptional job establishing a foundation for the topical areas and continues by presenting more detailed information in the domain so to provide the reader with a comprehensive view of these developmental processes and the impact that variables have on each area.”

 

*Kimberly Blair, University of Pittsburgh

 

“The Berk book has become a sourcebook (for our students)… This past year, I also taught a course in the third and final year of the BScN program and the students are still referring to Berk to interpret and support their clinical observations.”

 

“The figures, diagrams, pictures, and tables are well-chosen.  The examples and illustrations are very clear.”

 

*Laurie Gottlieb, McGill University, Canada

 

“The author has done a very good job of presenting critical issues in a straightforward, understandable manner.  Students have commented on the usefulness of the text, and stated they particularly like the milestone tables, vignettes and end-of-chapter summaries.  Students have also commented that the author manages to make potentially difficult concepts easy to understand.  At the end of each term, I request feedback on the text from 4-5 students, ask them to compare the Berk text with 1 or 2 other available texts, and make a recommendation regarding the text for next year’s class.  Student’s, the past 2 years, have selected the Berk test over others for reasons outlined above, and also for paper quality, color, up-to-date photographs, overall appeal, and user-friendliness.”

 

*Marita Kloseck, University of Western Ontario

 

 

“The Berk textbook is excellent. It includes a large amount of practical knowledge that I will use in the future!  Extremely useful and informative.”

 

Anonymous student quote from Prof. Kloseck’s class

 

“It is clear that Dr. Berk has worked in this field for a very long time and is committed to using up to date research… I think this text does a good job of educating students on the intellectual matters of development as well as the practical matters of policy and economics.”

 

“I especially like the way Dr. Berk addresses policy in this text… the social issues boxes are very useful in engaging students in topics of real-life importance that go beyond the individual.”

 

Chapter 3 “is the best chapter on prenatal development and delivery that I have seen in a developmental textbook.  The inclusion of a variety of approaches to childbirth around the world is particularly interesting.”

 

*Ashley Maynard, University of Hawaii

 

“Great use of concrete, real-life examples of the various concepts throughout the chapter.  This is incredibly helpful for students’ learning and retention of the material.”

 

*Tracie Blumentritt, University of Wisconsin La Crosse

 

“Bravo! Boy, was I favorably impressed!  The photos are BEAUTIFUL.”

 

*Laura Thompson, New Mexico State University

 

“One of the greatest strengths of any Berk book on human development is the quality of the research the author selects for inclusion.  The timeliness and relevancy of the selected research goes a long way in enhancing the caliber of the information.  The author has created a good blend of historic, classic, contemporary, and practical research, which is appropriate for the topics covered.”

 

*Lanthan Camblin, University of Cincinnati

 

“I was very impressed with this text.”

 

Chapter 8 “on social and emotional development in early childhood is outstanding.  The presentation of the salient developmental issues of this period is clear and interesting.  The discussion of the factors that influence social and emotional adaptation (e.g. childrearing styles, cultural variation, etc.) illustrates the complexity of development but in a highly readable and understandable fashion.”

 

“The overview of a topic is well integrated with the research and case vignettes.”

 

*Byron, Egeland, University of Minnesota

 

Chapter 19 “is extraordinary. Other textbooks pay lip service to the topic (of death, dying and bereavement)” and have the “tendency to gloss over” the material.  Berk has written a phenomenal chapter… It is through, sensitive, and well written.”

 

Cheryl Anagnopoulos, Black Hills State University

Laura E. Berk

Development Through the Lifespan, 4e

What reviewers are saying…

 

"This is the most engaging textbook I have reviewed or used... truly remarkable in its depth, research and professional, personable, and engaging writing style... This book sets a new standard of excellence....I especially liked the excellent applications-implications included... far superior to nearly all other texts I am familiar with."

–Dale Lund, University of Utah

 

"One of the strengths of this book is a sense that we are learning from someone who is both a great scholar and a very wise and experienced person.  Berk has credibility on both a professional and personal level . . . [The text] also offers a sense that my students are getting exposure to the best research and ideas available in my field.

–David Shwalb, Southeastern Louisiana University

 

"[I appreciate the] great use of concrete, real-life examples of the various concepts throughout the chapter.  This is incredibly helpful for students' learning and retention of the material."

–Tracie Blumentritt, University of Wisconsin La Crosse

 

I especially like the way Dr. Berk addresses policy in this text... the Social Issues boxes are very useful in engaging students in topics of real-life importance that go beyond the individual."

–Ashley Maynard, University of Hawaii

 

"This is a high-quality text with wonderful pedagogical features."

 –Laurie Gruntmeir, Redlands Community College

 

"One of the greatest strengths of any Berk book on human development is the quality of the research the author selects for inclusion.  The timeliness and relevancy of the selected research goes a long way in enhancing the caliber of the information.  The author has created a good blend of historic, classic, contemporary, and practical research, which is appropriate for the topics covered."

–Lanthan Camblin, University of Cincinnati

 

"Chapter 8 is outstanding . . . The discussion of the factors that influence social and emotional adaptation illustrates the complexity of development, but in a highly readable and understandable fashion."

–Byron Egeland, University of Minnesota

 

"Chapter 19 is extraordinary.  Other textbooks pay lip service to the topic (of death, dying and bereavement) and have the tendency to gloss over the material.  Berk has written a phenomenal chapter… it is thorough, sensitive, and well written."

–Cheryl Anagnopoulos, Black Hills State University

View a Sample Chapter PDF: /samplechapter/0205491251.pdf

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    Cook & Cook
    © 2009 | Allyn & Bacon | Paper; 624 pages | Instock
    ISBN-10: 0205494064 | ISBN-13: 9780205494064
    Brief Description | Buy from myPearsonStore

    • This topically organized book uses a student-friendly writing style, intuitive design, and an active learning system to help students critically explore the many perspectives on child development.

     

    Child Development: Principles and Perspectives encourages students to take an active role in their learning and to think about children's development from a variety of perspectives. Through interviews, cases, and vignettes, students gain a broad understanding of the viewpoints of people who work with, live with, and care for children, bringing this dynamic field to life! From the start of each chapter, students actively engage in reading, questioning, and connecting information to their everyday lives and the lives of others. The text's features uniquely work together as an integrated system to optimize student learning and memory.

     

    Child Development is accompanied by MyDevelopmentLab, an exciting new learning and teaching tool designed to increase student success in the classroom, and provide instructors with every resource needed to teach and administer their course. The text plus MyDevelopmentLab is a complete recipe for student success!

  • 0205460798Child Development: Principles and Perspectives (with Study Card)
    Cook & Cook
    © 2005 | Allyn & Bacon | Paper Package; 688 pages | Instock
    ISBN-10: 0205460798 | ISBN-13: 9780205460793
    Brief Description | Buy from myPearsonStore

    • The Developing Child, Eleventh Edition, is a best-selling topical child development book known for its personal, conversational writing style; balanced coverage of both theory and application; and strong emphasis on culture.

     

    Helen Bee is a prominent author and res